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Media Releases

Women with disability will have improved access to violence information and support with the launch of a ground-breaking smartphone app today. Sunny is a new app developed by 1800RESPECT, Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA) and an expert advisory group of women with disability. Sunny helps women with disability learn about violence, learn about rights, and…

UPDATE: Following community backlash, White Ribbon Australia have reversed the decision. WWDA remain concerned that White Ribbon need to ‘consult with stakeholders’ on an issue of fundamental human rights. Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA) is disturbed and disappointed by White Ribbon Australia’s decision to withdraw its position statement on Women’s Reproductive Rights. The White Ribbon…

Joint statement by Disabled People’s Organisations Australia (DPO Australia) and Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA). DPO Australia is comprised of People with Disability Australia (PWDA), First People’s Disability Network (FPDN), Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA), and the National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA). Violence, abuse and neglect of people with disability, including children…

Disabled People’s Organisations Australia (DPO Australia) welcome today’s announcement of a Royal Commission into Aged Care, with the inclusion of young people with disability who live in nursing homes. This is a critical opportunity for the many thousands of older people with disability to have their voices heard and obtain justice for the violence, abuse,…

Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA) is sad to announce that Karin Swift has stood down from the role of WWDA President. We are happy to announce that Karin will stay on as a Management Committee Member. Karin has provided exceptional leadership and support to WWDA over many years in her various roles as President, Vice-President…

WWDA welcomes UN calls for Australia to abolish forced and coerced sterilisation of women and girls with disability, and people with intersex characteristics. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) made the recommendation in their Concluding Observations on Australia’s progress toward ending discrimination against women, released this week. The practice continues unabated,…

People with disability and our representative organisations are urging the Federal Government to call a Royal Commission into violence and abuse against people with disability across Australia. “We’re seeing how powerful a Royal Commission is in exposing huge problems, and illegal behaviour, in the banking and finance industry right now,” said Ms Bonnie Millen, President…

WWDA joins with our civil society colleagues in welcoming the Commonwealth Attorney General’s announcement that Australia had ratified an international human rights treaty known as the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). “Ratification of this treaty is a highly significant moment in protecting the rights of the most segregated and isolated people…

A broad range of organisations have expressed their support for the call for a Royal Commission into abuse and violence against people with disability. Over 160 civil society organisations and 380 individuals endorsed our Civil Society Statement to the Prime Minster calling for an immediate Royal Commission. The endorsed statement was forwarded to the Prime…

WWDA and Disabled People’s Organisations Australia (DPO Australia) welcomes some big wins for people with disability in tonight’s Federal Government Budget, but is very concerned by the punitive approach to welfare support that will make life harder for those doing it tough, including people with disability. “We are extremely pleased to hear that an increase…